Sustainable Waterloo Region's 2016 Report

WATERLOO REGION We are We facing a global climate crisis. *

The universe doesn’t give you what you ask for with *

COLLABORATION ACTION

Arthur Ashe Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change Oscar Wilde Oscar * The one great thing about a continuing collaboration is that they know you. And if you’re *

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION PARTNERSHIP

All around the world, in the country and the towns; There’s a growing global chorus and it’s ringing in the halls; * Raffi Don’t think what’s the cheapest way do to it or what’s the fastest way do to it… think what’s the most amazing way George Bernard Shaw Bernard George *

FIRST PROGRAMS

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. *

Al Gore PLUG IN Margaret Mead Margaret

Success is a science: if you have the conditions, you get the results. *

Mark Ruffalo Mark

2016 Report FOUNDATION

Sir Richard Branson Richard Sir It is deepening. are We entering a period of consequences. the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. anything. change cannot minds their change cannot who those and change, really lucky, they really believe in you. Do it for the children, do it for yourself; Everyone is needed, everyone can help. to doto it. If you want to bring a fundamental change in people’s belief and behavior… you need to create a community around them, where those new beliefs can be practiced and expressed and nurtured. Malcolm Gladwell

SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

EMISSIONS COMMITTED & REDUCED MEMBER PROGRAMS COMMITTED TO DATE CARBON REDUCTION WATER REDUCTION REDUCED TO DATE 23 3 Member Targets Set Member Targets Set

WASTE DIVERSION EQUIVALENT TO 52,599 3 9,528 42,444 TONNES OF GHG Member Targets Set Cars off the Road TONNES OF GHG

MEMBERSHIP SWR PROGRAMS REGIONAL EMISSIONS TOTAL MEMBERS TOTAL MEMBERS TOTAL FTE COMMITTED 36,907 24 Workforce Actions 28 75 LARGEST EMPLOYERS 842k REDUCTION TRAVELWISE REGIONAL SUSTAINABILITY 7 / 10 TONNES OF GHG REDUCED 6% Members in the Region Community Target INITIATIVE

OUTREACH SWR SOCIAL MEDIA EVENTS HELD IN 2016 SOCIAL MEDIA IMPRESSIONS FOLLOWERS OVER MEMBER ENGAGEMENT 7,760 39 Across all Channels Events 436k ENGAGEMENTS 969 SPEAKERS ACROSS ALL CHANNELS 6,330 ATTENDEES AT PUBLIC EVENTS 17 Across all Channels Events

VOLUNTEERS REGIONAL ELECTRIC VEHICLES DIRECTLY INVOLVED EVOLV1 IN WATERLOO REGION EV TEST DRIVES 175 84 Experts Collaborating Approximately VOLUNTEER HOURS 279 REGIONAL 78 S 20,000+ EV ON THE ROAD 42 VOLUNTEERS Logged in 2016 Public Charging Heads

AS OF DECEMBER 31ST, 2016 2 SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

2016 was a pivotal year at Sustainable Wider changes in Waterloo Region. regional, provincial, federal, and international movements contributed to a year of hope, a year of progress, and a year of creation.

COMMUNITY

It is the community that has enabled Sustainable Waterloo Region (SWR) to move in the direction of a sustainable, prosperous future. We pride ourselves on being a community-building organization; one that supports, encourages, promotes and celebrates all the great things happening in our corporate and organizational community. That support has come back to us tenfold.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is 2 3 * the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

In 2016, with our community and partners, we:

Developed and launched Set a collective mode Completed the feasibility Re-inventoried the Grew the number of electric the Regional split target with the study for evolv1, the community carbon vehicles (EVs) and charging Sustainability Initiative. members of TravelWise. regenerative, multi-tenant foot-print through the stations in the region. Our This new program is the Together, they are offi ce building. Design work of the partners trajectory for technology next step in developing committed to making has begun, and a business in ClimateActionWR. adoption has us on track to sustainable businesses change, getting cars off model has been found In 2017, we look reach the goal of 1,000 EVs and organizations, the road and making to make this building a forward to sharing our in the region by 2020. and we have achieved our workforce healthier replicable project. collective progress. unprecedented growth and happier. and engagement.

Yet, the work is not done. We have made great strides together, and we are motivated to press this positive momentum onward. We are proud to be your community partner, your catalyst for scaling the impact actions. We are motivated to ACTION help not only reduce the eff ects of organizations on the environment, but also to make sustained change. We are happy to be working with you to steer transformative change at this pivotal moment, in order to create the community we all want to live in.

Tova Davidson Barry Colbert Ph.D. Executive Director Board Chair Sustainable Waterloo Region Sustainable Waterloo Region

The universe doesn’t give you what you ask for with your thoughts; it gives you what you demand * with your actions. Dr. Steve Maraboli 4 5 SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

The environment and the economy are really two sides of the same coin. If we cannot sustain the environment, we cannot sustain ourselves. Wangari Maathai

5 SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

The Regional Sustainability Initiative TravelWise provides sustainable ClimateActionWR is collaboration is an organization-focused target- commuting solutions to employees between local organizations and setting program where leading in Waterloo Region with the ultimate community members focused on organizations set carbon, waste, and/ goal of reducing the number of climate change mitigation. Led by or water reduction targets. Evolving single-occupancy vehicles traveling Reep Green Solutions and Sustainable from the Regional Carbon Initiative, on our roads. In addition to offering Waterloo Region, this program the program fosters the development discounted Grand River Transit (GRT) coordinates the activities of the of the local clean economy. transit passes and an Emergency Climate Action Plan. It establishes Members are encouraged to take Ride Home reimbursement program cross-sector dialogue, facilitates an overall operational approach to employees, TravelWise provides collaborative opportunities, and that integrates sustainability an online carpool matching tool, monitors and measures progress throughout the entire organization. fun promotional events, and toward the achievement of our Participating organizations customized commuting reports community’s greenhouse gas receive one-on-one support, to member organizations. emission reduction target of 6% tools, resources, networking, and below 2010 levels by 2020. training to secure the foundation of a successful action plan.

ChargeWR collaborates with organizations in Waterloo Region A unique project envisioned by to plan and implement activities Sustainable Waterloo Region, that increase the number of electric The Cora Group, The David Johnston vehicles (EVs) and charging stations R+T Park and EY Canada. The Cora in the region. Working with partners, Group will begin development of this the goal is to reach 1,000 EVs first of its kind, net positive, multi- by 2020. tenant sustainable building in 2017. SWR is working with a variety of community partners on the creation of a sustainability innovation hub to foster the development of the local clean economy and build a culture of sustainability in the building. PROGRAMS

All around the world, in the country and the towns; There’s a growing global chorus and it’s ringing in * the halls; Do it for the children, do it for yourself; Everyone is needed, everyone can help. Raffi 6 Targets Create Focused Action One of the foundational principles for Sustainable Waterloo Region is the idea of reporting, and better yet, targets. It is a fundamental business practice that you measure ‘what matters’ and you manage ‘what you measure’. This principle is woven through all of our programs and projects. By measuring and setting targets on environmental factors, FOUNDATION organizations can not only reduce their impact, but do so in a way that is good for business. In 2016, we upped the game in measurement and target setting, setting a program- wide target in TravelWise, and in the development and launch of the Regional Sustainability Initiative.

It Takes a Community One person alone in an organization cannot reduce its environmental impact. One organization alone cannot mitigate climate change. Change takes a community; it takes many helping hands, many voices, and new ideas for new challenges.

In 2016, there are so many places and so many ways that SWR has worked to create that community. The development process and subsequent launch of the Regional Sustainability Initiative was fueled by community collaboration, and we now have the framework to support a greater breadth of organizations in their pursuit of sustainability. Progress in the evolv1 project has been made possible by the incredible commitment of community partners. ClimateActionWR is, by definition, The Susty Pros informal a program that brings together the community to work towards the networking group future we all want. is one example of how a network can be created. This group was the brain child of Mat Thijssen, former SWR staffer and now University of Waterloo Sustainability Coordinator and SWR SWR sends out big kudos volunteer. They meet every two months to talk about the challenges and the rewards of driving sustainability in an to everyone involved in organization or in the community. the sustainability network in our community!

6 7 * Success is a science: if you have the conditions, you get the results. Oscar Wilde SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

Multi-Level Focus on Climate Change THE BIGGER PICTURE

There is a movement afoot. The environment and climate change became a central focus of all levels of government in 2016:

On October 5, 126 parties ratified the • Paris Agreement to keep the temperature increase below 2˚C

A pan-Canadian agreement on clean • growth and climate change was signed by most provinces, which takes a collective approach to climate change mitigation

Cap and Trade was announced • in Ontario and the program design unveiled, to be launched in 2017

The Ontario ClimateAction Plan was • released, focusing on transportation, workplaces and homes

SWR is proud to be a regional leader in this movement toward a sustainable, lower carbon future.

8 9 8 SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

Multi-Level Focus on Climate Change Ontario Cap and Looking Beyond Creating Internal The Waste-Free Ontario Trade Carbon Momentum Act is an important With carbon regulations coming GHG reductions are not the In order to create truly step in creating to Ontario in the form of Cap only area getting attention. embedded sustainability, Ontario’s circular and Trade in January 2017, On June 1, the Province of efforts must be made to economy — a system SWR worked to support the Ontario passed the Waste- integrate it into all parts in which products Waterloo Region community Free Ontario Act. of an organization. That is to understand and get ready why all our programs are are never discarded, SWR recognizes the need to for this new regulation. Cap looking at behaviour change, but reintroduced and create a low carbon future, and Trade will no doubt be processes, policies, and reused or recycled and we also recognize the top of mind for organizations, best practices to encourage impacts of waste and water. into new products. So what is it all about? and develop a stronger In 2016, we integrated both Managing our resources foundation for sustainability. The cap of these in the Regional more effectively will How many tonnes of greenhouse Sustainability Initiative and in SWR programs work to engage benefit Ontarians, gases (GHGs) can be emitted, and it evolv1. Target setting in waste employees in the sustainability lowers each year our environment and reduction and water footprint solution. Challenges and economy and support means that the network is competitions like TravelWise’s The trade our efforts to fight Companies with emissions that exceed looking at environmental Carpool Month and the Regional the cap can buy credits from firms that sustainability more holistically. Sustainability Initiative’s Carbon climate change. reduced their emissions below the cap Cleanse get everyone involved. GLEN R. MURRAY, The proceeds It is magnified by experiences ONTARIO MINISTER OF Funds generated from the sale of and shared learning, such as THE ENVIRONMENT AND credits go to a “Green Bank”, which EV test drives and workshop CLIMATE CHANGE invests in programs laid out in the Ontario Climate Change Action Plan events targeted at employees from specific departments. It The costs is advanced through research As of December 2016, carbon was trading at $18/ t CO₂ with our post-secondary partners on how to encourage The participants sustainable behaviour. Organizations with facilities that generate more than 25K tonnes of By building a culture of GHGs annually are “capped emitters” and are required to participate by law; sustainability through engaged facilities generating between >10K and committed teams, and <25K can participate voluntarily organizations can more easily The market meet their goals. Then they In the first year, the auction will only influence behaviours beyond include Ontario organizations; in 2018 the walls of their business, into it is expected to join to the Western Climate Initiative (Quebec and California) the homes and personal lives of their teams and stakeholders.

9 8 9 THE BUILDING THAT GIVES BACK Net-Positive

evolv1 CANADA’S is designed to: 1 2

Produce 105% of the energy used Provide improved indoor air quality FIRST on-site by employing passive and for its occupants through mecha- active design strategies and on-site nical and biological fi ltration. solar generation. SWR has been working since 2013 to realize a vision to see a leading-edge sustainable building constructed in Waterloo Region – a vision built on our collective local commitment to, and leadership 3 4 in, sustainability. Collaborating with the Cora Group, David Johnston Contribute positively to the water Strive for high levels of waste Research +Technology Park, and EY Canada, this year we turned a balance of the community by diversion through construction, and corner, bringing the feasibility study to completion and showing that reducing use in the building, harvest- zero operational waste-to-landfi ll net-positive impact and fi nancial feasibility can go hand-in-hand. ing rainwater for grey-water uses, through programming that engages and increasing infi ltration on-site. the building’s citizens. The Cora Group now plans to develop evolv1, Canada’s fi rst fi nancially replicable net-positive multi-tenant building.

PARTNERS: ENABLING SUPPORT:

An agency of the Government of Ontario Un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario

Brand Guide SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

Guest Writer

Overcoming the Performance Gap

Dr. Manuel Riemer Wilfrid Laurier University

Buildings currently account for 40% of global energy use, and 38% of global GHG emissions (UNEP, 2012). The evolv1 project presents a unique opportunity to study the design, implementation, and operation of a cutting-edge green building designed to signifi cantly reduce its environmental impact compared to current standards. In fact, the goal is for the building to be net-positive. This goal cannot be accomplished, however, without the cooperation of the building citizens; that is, those who manage, occupy, and visit the building. Past experiences with green buildings have shown that they fall short of their performance targets due to the building citizens’ actions and decisions, such as setting building temperatures too high, leaving windows open during cold periods, or buying take-out food in non-compostable containers. Thus, it is not suffi cient to design and build a high-performance building; one must also engage the building citizens in a positive culture of sustainability. Ideally, this should happen even before the building is built. To this end, in collaboration with the evolv1 citizens and national partners, such as the Building Operators and Managers Association of Canada (BOMA), we have built a multi-disciplinary team with the goal of developing an evidence-based approach for this type of engagement and building management. With the right support, there is great potential for producing meaningful leading-edge knowledge that will help Canada to better meet its sustainability goals.

Don’t think what’s the cheapest way to do it or what’s the fastest way to do it… think what’s 10 11 * the most amazing way to do it. Sir Richard Branson Unprecedented Growth By almost any metric, 2016 was the most successful year in our program history. The Regional Sustainability Initiative evolved from the Regional Carbon Initiative, a carbon reduction- focused program, to one that more fully encompasses sustainability, including waste diversion and water footprint reduction targets. As a result, more than ever before, community members joined the program network and set targets. The new program also moved beyond targets by partnering with B Lab to develop a Waterloo Region focused environmental impact assessment to measure our members’ internal capacity for action year over year.

The new Regional Sustainability Initiative launched at the equally new and rebranded Walper Hotel in downtown Kitchener. It was a festive evening of networking and information sharing amongst environmental professionals from across southern Ontario. New waste targets from AET Group and Wilfrid Laurier University were presented, as well as new water targets from St. John the Evangelist Church and AET Group. Additionally, we were proud to share that both AET and Waterloo North Hydro became the fi rst ‘tri-target’ members! Both raised the bar and set carbon, waste, and water targets.

Let’s not forget that the program still focuses on reducing carbon footprints to mitigate climate change. There were four new carbon targets set in 2016.

12 SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

The Regional Sustainability Initiative is a member-based program where sustainability leaders take real action and set tangible reduction targets in either carbon, waste and/or water.

We support members by off ering customized reporting, one-on-one support, employee engagement, communications, and more. These IMPACT pages give examples of how sustainability-focused organizations are primed to take advantage of the growing low-carbon economy.

MEMBERSHIP REGIONAL SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE PROGRAM With the addition of 14 new members and 10 new targets set, the Regional Sustainability Initiative’s unprecedented growth in 2016 is one illustration of Waterloo Region’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Here are the four new carbon targets.

WATERLOO CATHOLIC DISTRICT TARGET TONNES 1 20 1725 SCHOOL BOARD % , DAVID JOHNSTON RESEARCH + TARGET TONNES 2 40 1034 TECHNOLOGY PARK % , TARGET TONNES 3 ST. PAUL’S UNIVERSITY COLLEGE 40 180 % TARGET TONNES 4 S2E TECHNOLOGIES INC. 100 5 %

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their 12 13 * minds cannot change anything. George Bernard Shaw 01. LED lighting retrofi t at a GRT facility provides excellent light quality with decreased energy costs.

02. Building and domestic hot water heating with a wall

hung 260,000 Btu/h boiler at 01 02 Waterloo North Hydro.

03. At Toyota Boshoku, by installing relatively inexpensive controls, the exhaust fan now only runs when necessary and this has resulted in annual CO₂ reduction of 2.4%.

04. VeriForm’s operator Nathan Graham monitors steel cutting using the new ultra effi cient fan motor to remove the cutting smoke. 03 04

Waterloo North Hydro Members in Action Geothermal Reconfi guration Regional Municipality Waterloo North Hydro reconfi gured VeriForm their existing geothermal system of Waterloo Experimentation & Effi ciency to match their actual usage, proving Replacing, Retrofi tting, VeriForm is a program alumni who, that energy effi ciency rebate Re-commissioning of Equipment despite being Carbon Neutral since programs aren’t just for their The Region of Waterloo completed 2015 and becoming Canada’s 4th customers. Consequently, they signifi cant equipment upgrades, company to implement the ISO reduced fuel usage by up to lighting retrofi ts, and recommissioning 50001 energy management system, one half, and extended the lifespan of its buildings in 2016 that reduced is not resting on their laurels. They of existing equipment. GHG emissions by 1,000 tonnes installed an ultra-effi cient fan motor (about 2%). on a dust collector in their steel plate Toyota Boshoku cutting division to cut electrical 500 furnaces in Regional housing Micro ‘Off -Time’ a found treasure demand by by 3.8 kilowatts (kW). units were replaced with high After a company-wide, multi- There were two positive outcomes effi ciency models, reducing natural disciplinary energy reduction ‘treasure from this installation. First, they were gas consumption by 90,000 cubic hunt’, Toyota Boshoku found that by able to slow down the fan motor, metres and avoiding 170 tonnes turning off localized exhaust fans for reducing heat loss from the exhausted of annual GHGs. as little as one minute when not in use, air, saving 5,508 kilowatt hours they reap signifi cant rewards. The Large LED retrofi ts across 14 (kWh) per year. Second, rebalancing new ‘demand-based’ control reduced Regional buildings reduced power the fan motor for the slower speed the weekly operating hours of the consumption by 2,700 megawatt meant smoother operation, leading fans from 121 to 76. When considering hours (MWh); approximately to a longer fan life with much lower the avoided air temperature controls, 155 tonnes of GHG emissions. maintenance costs. Smooth thinking. this gem saves them around Two buildings were successfully $8,000 a year in energy costs and recommissioned, reducing 350,000 2.4% of their CO₂ emissions. Now cubic metres of natural gas and that’s Kaizen! 400 MWh of electricity, together avoiding 690 tonnes of annual GHGs. 14 SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

05 06 05. CGT project uses Canadian General Tower Wilfrid Laurier University free cooling effect from cooling towers Chiller Plant Free Cooling Energy Efficiency Dashboard to reduce energy. Canadian General Tower was able Laurier’s Energy Efficiency Program 06. 500 kW photovoltaic to use the free cooling effect from (LEEP) completed Phase 1 projects roof on the City of their cooling towers to reduce the in 2016. The scope of work included Kitchener Operations Facility. overall energy consumption of the two solar thermal walls, conversion plant’s chilled water system. Since from electric heat to a high-efficiency 07. A planter box bioswale captures, implementing this project, they hydronic system, lighting retrofits, low cleans and stores have been able to turn off a chiller flow water fixtures, building waste heat water that infiltrates completely during the cold season, recovery, demand control ventilation, to the groundwater and allows for resulting in an estimated annual HVAC retro-commissioning, and transpiration via electrical cost savings of $70,000, sub-metering with integration to a plants in front of AET. and estimated annual kWh saving cloud-based dashboard. Students, 08. Insulated duct work of 1.9% of the facility’s overall staff and the public cancheck the carrying pre-heated 07 electricity consumption. dashboard for campus buildings’ air from solar wall energy use in real time. Talk and energy recover ventilator on the City of Kitchener about transparency! common exhaust at WLU. Upgrades to Community Centers The City of Kitchener completed an AET LED light retrofitting at City Hall, Stormwater Project the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium AET has been pushing towards a Complex, the Grand River Arena, more comprehensive assessment the Operations Facility, and other of sustainability and managing their community centers, achieving a onsite stormwater. They were able to collective reduction of 99 tonnes of improve the quality of the water and GHGs. Upgrades to dehumidifiers and reduce the overall volume flowing heat exchange systems and increasing from their property without sacrificing insulation saved an additional any parking spaces. 70% of the 34 tonnes of GHGs, and total cost stormwater on AET’s property will be savings of $115,000. captured in this new system, which includes a 500 litre stone forebay The solar roof on the Kitchener that filters debris, and a planter box 08 Operations building produced more bioswale designed to catch, soak up, green energy in 2016 than any other and treat 1,300 litres of stormwater year since it was installed in 2012, Sustainable Waterloo Region is one of eight flowing from their rooftop and parking SUPPORTED BY social enterprises across Ontario convening offsetting 55 tonnes CO₂, and networks of businesses setting sustainability lot. A 2,400 litre rain garden captures targets with the support of Sustainability generating $500,000 in revenue. CoLab. Together we’re demonstrating that a excess water and allows it to infiltrate more sustainable economy is possible. and recharge groundwater before it can flow into the storm drain.The estimated diversion per year is 205,000 litres.

14 15 2016 CARBON CLEANSE

In the weeks leading up to the 2015 Evening of Recognition, nine member organizations got their green on by participating in the second annual Carbon Cleanse. Each of the four weeks had a diff erent theme: heat, electricity, waste and transportation. These nine organizations voluntarily accepted the challenges, earning points through participation, and sharing their activities through social media.

One 2016 challenge involved a collaboration with Tech Wreckers, which facilitated an e-waste drive. The challenges highlighted the many ways environmentally conscious habits can be improved, as carbon reduction requires not only better technology and processes, but also a deep cultural buy-in and behavioural change.

The 2016 Carbon Cleanse winners were:

ST AET Group • 1 ND United Way Kitchener Waterloo & Area 2

RD 3 Waterloo Catholic District School Board

With the launch of the Regional Sustainability Initiative, 2017’s competition will expand to include water, allowing more organizations and their employees to get involved.

The 2016 Carbon Cleanse participants were:

AET Group United Way Kitchener Athena Software Waterloo & Area Crawford & Company WalterFedy David Johnston Waterloo Catholic R&T Park District School Board

MMM Group Limited Township of Wilmot

16 SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

In addition to awards, Community Recognition for Member Action three members are considered the MEMBER best corporate citizens in Canada from Corporate Knights. Overcoming the Special shout-out to: AWARDS 9 Performance Gap Sun Life Financial # 15 Rookie of the Year WSP Global Inc. # 47 It’s not just the Regional Sustainability Initiative team that is proud Stantec # of our members’ success. Others are paying attention, too.

Accelerated Systems Inc. Recipient of the Mind to Market In Ontario, carbon Cap and Trade kicks off in 2017. This award recognizes the most active and Award from the Ontario Centres accomplished new member of the Regional of Excellence, based on their Sustainability Initiative in 2016. In their fi rst innovative technology that does Cap & Trade year, s2e Technologies Inc. set an ambitious not contain fi nite rare-earth 100% GHG reduction target, completed metals. the Environmental Impact Assessment and had representation at all SWR events. Their Borealis Bar & Grille For those participating, much of the heavy lifting happened new offi ce space was designed to be a high Recipient of the 2016 Restauranteur in 2016 and earlier. In an environment of increasing energy energy effi ciency working space. of the Year in Canada (Bob prices, there are some serious savings to be found for those Desautels) from Canadian Restaurant News for leadership in social and savvy enough to look for them. It’s no surprise therefore, that Most Active Member environmental initiatives. two of our manufacturing members crunched the numbers and decided to voluntarily opt-in to the program. After all, Enviro-Stewards Regional Sustainability Initiative members look to sustainability The Food Waste Prevention toolkit that Enviro-Stewards helped for a competitive advantage. develop for Provision Coalition Both KEI and CGT are corporate community members that have This award recognizes the most active received a 2016 Clean15 Award. and involved member in the Regional They were also rated as a Best for seen the benefi t of sustainability and are consequently well- Sustainability Initiative in 2016. For the third the World Company by B Lab positioned to take advantage of this business opportunity. year in a row, this award goes to AET. They for the third time. showed enthusiastic participation in the Canadian General Tower (CGT) Kuntz Electroplating Inc. (KEI) program and became the fi rst tri-target Grosche is an ISO 14001 producer of coated has long included sustainability in member, setting targets in GHG, waste and Best for the World from B Lab for top fabrics and films for automotive and their corporate beliefs and business water. AET has the top Leaderboard score, 10% B Corp environment score. industrial applications. The Cap and practices. As an industry leader they won the Carbon Cleanse, and attended Trade program offered such an have an ongoing commitment to every SWR event in 2016. Home Hardware opportunity for potential cost savings sustainable growth environmentally, Recipient of the Leaders in that they hired a consultant to review socially and economically. KEI was the Sustainability Award from Greatest GHG Reduction Call2Recycle, in recognition of the opportunity, and found that opting fi rst surface fi nisher in North America to their battery recycling at their in was a no-brainer. In 2016, CGT receive dual certifi cation for ISO 9001 corporate facility, and focused on identifying projects to and ISO 14001 and have a fully engaged encouraging stores across cap their carbon emissions and will be sustainability team that works diligently Canada to participate in implementing those projects in 2017. on sustainable initiatives. Cap and trade This award recognizes the member of the program. fi ts well with their portfolio of actions. the Regional Sustainability Initiative that Kuntz Electroplating Inc. (KEI) has reduced the most emissions in 2016 Recipient of the Energy Effi ciency Mennonite Central Committee WalterFedy relative to their size. This year’s award Award from Energy+. The award is Recipient of the The Sustainable Recipient of the 2016 Environment goes to Mennonite Central Committee for for KEI’s Save on Energy program Kitchener Award from the City of & Sustainability Award from reducing their GHG emissions by 9%. implementations such as re-lamping, Kitchener, based on their multi- the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Reductions can be attributed to solar panel updated HVAC equipment, and use head offi ce that incorporates a Chamber of Commerce for ongoing installation on their head offi ce building variable frequency drives. 45,000 litre rainwater harvesting work in the community. at 50 Kent Ave. in Kitchener. system, an air exchange system, and a complete energy modelling study to maximize energy effi ciencies.

16 17 AS OF DECEMBER 31ST, 2016 MEMBERS OBSERVING CAPACITY REPORTING BUILDING

This is where organizations At this stage organizations are starting These organizations are are starting the journey, meeting the a green team, creating refi ning their action community, and learning about action plans, and establishing plans and sharing their the tools available to them. their baseline. e-score. TOSEE PLEDGING MEMBER TARGETS, OPEN FOLD

18 SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION AS OF DECEMBER 31ST, 2016 2016 Report

PLEDGING

Pledging members have set GHG, waste, and/or water reduction targets and report annually on their achievements in sustainablility.

Greenhouse Gas Waste Water

TO SEE PLEDGING MEMBER TARGETS, OPEN FOLD OPEN TARGETS, MEMBER PLEDGING SEE TO Gold

Silver

Bronze

Other GHG Targets

18 19 WATERLOO REGION

PLEDGING MEMBERS 2016 AS OF DECEMBER 31ST, 2016

GOLD

GHG REDUCTION TARGET MEMBER PROGRESS (INTENSITY) 60 This page shows the progress of our Pledging Partners. FROM 2009% Key terms to know are: Absolute reduction to date: -13 TONNES

ABSOLUTE EMISSIONS 40

Total GHG emissions produced by the organization 30

INTENSITY EMISSIONS 20

GHG emissions divided by a particular growth indicator 10

SCOPE 3 REPORTING EMISSIONS GHG License) / (Tonnes 0 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Indirect sources of GHG emissions captured in their target SCOPE 3 REPORTING

KEY PROJECTS Air, Employee Commuting, Vehicle Business Travel, Waste Areas where members have reduced their GHG emissions KEY PROJECTS Strategic Client Partnerships Carpooling Incentives Review of Purchasing Policy

GOLD GOLD

GHG GHG REDUCTION TARGET REDUCTION TARGET (INTENSITY) (ABSOLUTE) 80 100 FROM 2008% FROM 2015% Absolute reduction to date: Absolute reduction to date: -3 TONNES 1 TONNE

2.0 4

1.5 3

1.0 2

0.5 1 GHG EMISSIONS EMISSIONS GHG (Tonnes) GHG EMISSIONS EMISSIONS GHG FTE) / (Tonnes 0 0 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

SCOPE 3 REPORTING SCOPE 3 REPORTING N/A N/A

KEY PROJECTS KEY PROJECTS Green Bin System Living Wall Maintenance Rainwater Harvesting Green Wall Utility Submetering

GOLD SILVER GOLD GOLD

GHG GHG WASTE WATER REDUCTION TARGET REDUCTION TARGET DIVERSION TARGET REDUCTION TARGET (ABSOLUTE) (INTENSITY) 100 40 90 30 FROM 2006% FROM 2011% BY 2023% BY 2025% Absolute reduction to date: Absolute reduction to date: 242 TONNES -30 TONNES

240 8 70090 650

180 6 65080 550

120 4 55070 450

60 2 45060 350 ) 3) % m WASTE DIVERSION DIVERSION WASTE ( WATER REDUCTION WATER ( GHG EMISSIONS EMISSIONS GHG (Tonnes / FTE) GHG EMISSIONS EMISSIONS GHG (Tonnes) 0 0 00 0 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 12 13 14 1115 1216 13 1418 1519 1620 21 18 19 20 152113 1614 1715 1816 1917 2018 2119 222015232116242217252318

SCOPE 3 REPORTING SCOPE 3 REPORTING Air, Employee Commuting, Vehicle Business Travel, Waste, Water Air, Employee Commuting, Vehicle Business Travel, Waste

KEY PROJECTS KEY PROJECTS Adjustment to Variable Upgrade to Dust Daylight Sensors Fleet Upgrades 100% Renewable Energy Green Offi ce Addition Frequency Drive Systems Control Motor

Legend for Charts: Base Year Progress 10 Year Target SILVER SILVER

GHG GHG REDUCTION TARGET REDUCTION TARGET (ABSOLUTE) (ABSOLUTE) 40 40 FROM 2010% FROM 2010% Absolute reduction to date: Absolute reduction to date: -56 TONNES 227 TONNES

400 1200 300 900

200 600

100 300 N/A GHG EMISSIONS EMISSIONS GHG (Tonnes)

GHG EMISSIONS EMISSIONS GHG (Tonnes) 0 0 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

SCOPE 3 REPORTING SCOPE 3 REPORTING Waste, Water Air, Waste, Water

KEY PROJECTS KEY PROJECTS Waste Diversion Energy Management System Paperless Offi ce Renewal Energy Credits Reduced printer energy use and Off sets

SILVER SILVER

GHG GHG REDUCTION TARGET REDUCTION TARGET (INTENSITY) (INTENSITY) 40 40 FROM 2014% FROM 2010% Absolute reduction to date: Absolute reduction to date: 238 TONNES 95 TONNES

1.00 2.0 )

0.75 FT 1.5

0.50 1.0

0.25 0.5 GHG EMISSIONS EMISSIONS GHG FTE) / (Tonnes 0 EMISSIONS GHG 1,000 / (Tonnes 0 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

SCOPE 3 REPORTING SCOPE 3 REPORTING N/A Water

KEY PROJECTS KEY PROJECTS Park wide green team Solar Panels

SILVER SILVER

GHG GHG REDUCTION TARGET REDUCTION TARGET (INTENSITY) (ABSOLUTE) 40 40 FROM 2014% FROM 2010% Absolute reduction to date: Absolute reduction to date: 84 TONNES 62 TONNES

4 160 )

FT 3 120

2 80

1 40 GHG EMISSIONS EMISSIONS GHG 1,000 / (Tonnes 0 EMISSIONS GHG (Tonnes) 0 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

SCOPE 3 REPORTING SCOPE 3 REPORTING Air, Water Vehicle Business Travel

KEY PROJECTS KEY PROJECTS Boiler Replacement Lighting Retrofi t LEED Silver Building

Legend for Charts: Base Year Progress 10 Year Target BRONZE BRONZE

GHG GHG REDUCTION TARGET REDUCTION TARGET (INTENSITY) (ABSOLUTE) 22 20 FROM 2011% FROM 2009% Absolute reduction to date: Absolute reduction to date: 806 TONNES 99 TONNES

8 200

6 150

4 100

2 50 N/A N/A GHG EMISSIONS EMISSIONS GHG (Tonnes) GHG EMISSIONS EMISSIONS GHG Residents) 100 / (Tonnes 0 0 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

SCOPE 3 REPORTING SCOPE 3 REPORTING Air, Vehicle Business Travel Vehicle Business Travel, Water

KEY PROJECTS KEY PROJECTS Solar Panels Lighting Retrofi t & Occupancy Sensors Chiller Unit Replacement Paperless Offi ce Desk Sharing

BRONZE BRONZE

GHG GHG REDUCTION TARGET REDUCTION TARGET (ABSOLUTE) (ABSOLUTE) 20 25 FROM 2009% FROM 2012% Absolute reduction to date: Absolute reduction to date: 43 TONNES 8 TONNES

200 40

150 30

100 20

50 10 GHG EMISSIONS EMISSIONS GHG (Tonnes) 0 EMISSIONS GHG (Tonnes) 0 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

SCOPE 3 REPORTING SCOPE 3 REPORTING Air, Waste, Water Air, Waste, Water

KEY PROJECTS KEY PROJECTS LEED Gold Building Onsite Garden & Composting E-waste & Battery Recycling Recycling Work from Home Policy E-waste Recycling

BRONZE BRONZE

GHG GHG REDUCTION TARGET REDUCTION TARGET (ABSOLUTE) (ABSOLUTE) 20 25 FROM 2007% FROM %2011 Absolute reduction to date: Absolute reduction to date: 66 TONNES 89 TONNES

160 240

120 180

80 120

40 60 N/A N/A GHG EMISSIONS EMISSIONS GHG (Tonnes) 0 EMISSIONS GHG (Tonnes) 0 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

SCOPE 3 REPORTING SCOPE 3 REPORTING Air, Vehicle Business Travel Air, Waste, Water

KEY PROJECTS KEY PROJECTS Solar Panels Renewable Energy Credits & Off sets Solar Window Film HVAC Controls

Legend for Charts: Base Year Progress 10 Year Target SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

BRONZE BRONZE

GHG GHG REDUCTION TARGET REDUCTION TARGET (INTENSITY) (INTENSITY) 24 20 FROM 2009% FROM 2014% Absolute reduction to date: Absolute reduction to date: 12,090 TONNES 1,397 TONNES

29 4.5

26 4.0

23 3.5

20 N/A 3.0 GHG EMISSIONS EMISSIONS GHG (Tonnes / # of Students) GHG EMISSIONS EMISSIONS GHG residents) 100 / (Tonnes 0 2.5 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

SCOPE 3 REPORTING SCOPE 3 REPORTING Vehicle Business Travel N/A

KEY PROJECTS KEY PROJECTS Building Re-Commissioning Lighting Retrofi t Furnace Upgrades Lighting Retrofi t Upgraded Heat Pumps & Boilers Replace Windows & Doors

BRONZE GOLD GOLD BRONZE BRONZE

GHG WASTE WATER GHG WASTE REDUCTION TARGET TARGET REDUCTION TARGET REDUCTION TARGET TARGET (INTENSITY) (INTENSITY) 20 80 80 25 65 FROM 2010% BY 2025% BY 2025% FROM 2009% BY 2022% Absolute reduction to date: Absolute reduction to date: 211 TONNES 1,574 TONNES

18 18,500 100 18,500 4 70 )

16 4,000 90 4,000 FT 3 65

14 3,500 80 3,500 2 60

12 1,000 70 1,000 1 55 3) ) ) m % WATER REDUCTION WATER ( % GHG EMISSIONS EMISSIONS GHG / (Tonnes customers) 1,000 GHG EMISSIONS EMISSIONS GHG 1,000 / (Tonnes DIVERSION WASTE ( 0 0 DIVERSION WASTE ( 0 0 0 0 10 11 12 1013 1114 1215 1316 1417 1518 1619 1720 18 1915 2016 1715 1816 19 20 21 22 1523 1624 1725 18 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 12 13 14 15 16

SCOPE 3 REPORTING SCOPE 3 REPORTING N/A Air, Vehicle Business Travel, Waste, Water

KEY PROJECTS KEY PROJECTS LEED Silver Building Reconfi guration of Geothermal System Hybrid & Electric Fleet Energy Retrofi t Community Access Bikeshare Station Solar Panels

TARGET RESET SILVER

WATER REDUCTION TARGET 20 BY 2024% Absolute reduction to date: 71 TONNES

4 2400

3 1800

2 1200

1 600 ) N/A WATER REDUCTION WATER (m GHG EMISSIONS EMISSIONS GHG FTE) / (Tonnes 0 0 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

NOTE SCOPE 3 REPORTING As a result of the recent joining of WSP and MMM Group, data for 2016 are unavailable and this N/A organization will be re-setting their baseline. KEY PROJECTS N/A

Legend for Charts: Base Year Progress 10 Year Target ARE YOU + / - 10km

More than half of the workforce served by TravelWise live within 10 km of their work location. This presents a great opportunity to promote active transportation options such as walking and Employees who cycling to employees. indicated that they walk or cycle as their primary mode of transportation reported a higher level of satisfaction with their commute compared to drivers.

2020 SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

TravelWise off ers member organizations to help employees fi nd tools and services innovative and sustainable transportation options that reduce the number of single- occupancy vehicles traveling on our roads.

TravelWise is delivered through a public-private partnership between the Region of Waterloo and Sustainable Waterloo Region.

PARTNERSHIP

Members AS OF DECEMBER 31ST, 2016

WATERLOO REGION

The one great thing about a continuing collaboration is that they know you. 2020 21 * And if you’re really lucky, they really believe in you. Mark Ruff alo COMMUNITY EVENTS

Bike Month Stats Bike Month Highlights: Together with the University of Waterloo (UW), TravelWise informed and thanked cyclists, tying thank you notes on 750 bikes parked on campus during Bike Month. The campaign was a great way to reach cyclists directly, and inform them about campus initiatives that 4741 support biking. UW also hosted two Bike-to- Work Breakfasts, including free tune-ups, bike, trips logged to celebrate cyclists during the month.

Positive Eff ects Represents a total saving of 6.6 tonnes CO₂

32 000 , total distance (km) 01 02 #BikeWR Month How far? June is the perfect time to take advantage of warmer That’s the equivalent of biking weather and kick off summer with Bike Month. In 2016, from Waterloo Region to Sydney, TravelWise celebrated by hosting 15 ‘Bike-to-Work Austrailia and back home again. Breakfasts’ at member workplaces. Cyclists enjoyed snacks and refreshments as they rolled into work at the end of their morning commute. Free bike tune-ups were also available while attendees ate breakfast and met fellow cyclists who shared common experiences. Community Access Bikeshare, the City of Kitchener, and Tour de Grand were among the many community groups that set up bright and early to show their support and provide valuable cycling resources.

01. Bike Month launch In 2016, the Inter-Municipal event at the CIty Partnership for Active of Cambridge. Transportation (IMPAcT) launched BikeWR.com 02. Bike-to-Work Breakfast , a at the Tannery. central source for all things cycling in Waterloo Region. 03. Bike-to-Work Breakfast The site serves as a useful and tune-up at channel for fi nding and sharing University of Waterloo. bike-related events, bike maps, and safety resources for new and advanced cyclists in the Region. Twitter users can also use #BikeWR t o fi n d and share bike updates from around the community.

22 SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

Commuters of Waterloo Region #CommutersWR

Corporate Bus Pass Sales #TransitWR Showcase For the fi rst time ever, in 2016, TravelWise organized 285 2016 a campaign to promote transit in Waterloo Region. The Transit Showcase took place during Oktoberfest, allowing riders to take advantage of free transit routes available during the festival. Members were equipped with tools to raise awareness about the Grand River 229 2015 Transit (GRT) Corporate Pass discount, and employees were encouraged to showcase their transit trips by submitting artistic, transit-related photos to a photo

199 2014 contest. Pictures are worth 1,000 words, and with over 20 submissions, TravelWise learned a lot about what a typical day looks like in the life of a transit user! Thank you to all who submitted photos – we look 122 2013 forward to seeing even more in 2017.

Carpool Month Gotravelwise.ca Since July 2014 Highlight: Carpool Month 1,896 users have saved Gotravelwise.ca is an For the second year in a row, 51.7 tonnes CO₂ BlackBerry took the lead in online tool used to Carpool Month participation. fi nd carpool matches This was due, in a large part, to and log trips. The BlackBerry’s TravelWise champion, Jen McLaughlin. tool also calculates Jen was the epitome of the the users’ impact of perfect carpooler during Carpool using sustainable Month and her colleagues 40 488 followed her lead, planning transportation. Since TravelWise data indicates that it takes community the tool launched in ahead to schedule carpools, Trips, Logged encouraging others to tag along, building and close relationships to develop July 2014, there are and using an electric vehicle to successful carpools. Based on this knowledge more than 1,800 users get around! A big shout out to BlackBerry (and Jen specifi cally) and feedback from members, TravelWise and over 4,000 trips for winning the Carpool Month decided to extend Carpool Week to Carpool have been logged. To Engagement Award in 2016. Month in 2016. The month-long campaign was date, approximately designed to help employees fi nd a carpool match 51 tonnes of CO₂ and on gotravelwise.ca, understand the positive $73,000 have been impact of their choice, and have fun while doing saved by those who 354 7 it! At the end of the month, carpoolers were have logged their trips. encouraged to send along carpool selfi es or Alternative Distance. k even carpool karaoke videos. Check them out Logged (km) on Twitter or post your own using #CarpoolWR or #CarpoolSelfi eWR.

22 23 EMPLOYEE TRAVEL SURVEY RESULTS

Carpooling continues to be the most common When asked what motivated employees to drive sustainable choice for employees. The average alone to work, the top three factors selected were: All Meetings 2016 mode split results for employees served speed, personal trips before and after work, and Cancelled this by TravelWise show that more than 30% of convenience. The strategies that TravelWise, Wednesday trips during the 2016 survey period were made workplaces and the community-at-large develop to using a sustainable form of transportation. support sustainable commuting options will require As a member of TravelWise, SWR endeavours to provide solutions to overcome these barriers. supportive commuting options. For instance, SWR has declared “No Meeting THE DAILY Telework and Flex Flexible Wednesdays”, meaning that Time Policies Parking employees are encouraged COMMUTE to leave Wednesdays open, A “telework” or “work from home” policy can Flexible parking can be allowing them to complete We asked – Why do employees be implemented for employees who may not structured in many ways but work at home on a flexible work drive? Here is what we heard back need to be on site to complete their job duties. usually involves having passes schedule. This is particularly Workplaces that encourage teleworking are available on an as-needed valuable for employees who have a longer commute. from over 2500 drivers. removing the need for their employees to basis, or by having part-time commute altogether, which is more convenient passes available that are only FASTER THAN ALTERNATIVES and accommodating for those who have personal valid for a few days a month. obligations before and after work. Similarly, flex- Both of these approaches time policies allow employees to adjust their help to overcome an ‘all or schedules around other responsibilities such nothing’ barrier when it comes as childcare or volunteering in the community. to sustainable commuting. 22% As an example, instead of Telework and flex-time policies are often PERSONAL TRIPS BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER purchasing a monthly parking advertised in job descriptions and can give pass and feeling compelled employers a competitive advantage when to drive every day, employees Yes recruiting new employees. Offering telework can drive on days they feel options is cost effective, avoiding overhead it is necessary, and use an % costs and achieving greater employee retention. alternative mode of commute 21 Employees during the rest of the month. MORE CONVENIENT AND COMFORTABLE An employer can go above and beyond by Interested in providing resources that support employees Providing flex passes can to work from home. This can include reduce parking demand and Purchasing an teleconferencing technology that allows subsequently ease pressure on EV or PHEV workers to meet online, networks that make work organizations to accommodate 18% New this year, TravelWise documents and emails accessible, and in some parking needs. Offering flex VEHICLE NEEDED FOR BUSINESS TRAVEL asked employees to indicate cases, reimbursement for home office supplies. parking options can also their interest in purchasing mitigate concerns if monthly an EV or Plug-in Hybrid parking prices are increased. Electric Vehicle (PHEV) in the next five years. The results 12% yielded an overwhelmingly DROP-OFF OR PICK-UP KIDS positive response, with 15% of employees indicating that they would like their next vehicle to be an EV or PHEV, and another 64% showing interest. 9% TRANSIT OPTIONS AREN’T AVAILABLE For more information on electric vehicles in Waterloo 6% Region, see pages 26 and 27. 24 SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

TravelWise MEMBER Mode Split Target AWARDS In 2016, TravelWise decided to take stronger action toward achieving results. Leadership and Innovation Members agreed that as a program, TravelWise should set a realistic goal of reducing drive-alone trips by 5% from 2015 over the next fi ve years.This would mean reducing drive-alone trips from 72% to 67% by the 2020 target This award recognizes an organization that year. If the goal is reached, sustainable has demonstrated a strong commitment trips should comprise at least 33% of and found creative solutions to encourage sustainable transportation among their all trips made by employees served by employees. This year’s award goes to the TravelWise in 2020. City of Kitchener for developing a suite of customized sustainable commuting The 5% target was established to resources for employees, and for organizing align well with Climate Action WR’s interactive events, such as their Wellness 6% emission reduction target by 2020. Fair, that raised awareness about sustainable It was also determined that a 1% shift commuting. The City of Kitchener also towards sustainable commuting coordinated bike rides between City Hall and the Kitchener Operations Facility to each year would be a realistic goal for TravelWise will encourage more sustainable business travel. inspire members participating organizations. to set individual Most Active Member targets and take How will we get there? actions that support their Now that a mode split target has been set, TravelWise plans to map the road ahead This award recognizes the most active and employees, engaged member of 2016. This year’s award by providing a new milestone framework goes to the University of Waterloo for their ultimately gaining to help organizations build capacity and enthusiastic involvement in campaigns such them recognition achieve results. The milestones closely as Bike Month, where they logged 2,253 bike trips on gotravelwise.ca, representing refl ect the framework established as leaders in more than 10,000 kilometres travelled. UW Waterloo Region by the Regional Sustainability Initiative. also had strong participation in TravelWise and beyond. This promotes action planning and quarterly meetings, and almost doubled implementation models that can be their Employee Travel Survey response rate in 2016. Receive employee streamlined, shared and replicated services easily between members. Establish key contacts Greatest Increase in Sustainable Commuting Implement actions to 1. Coordinate a launch event TravelWise will continue to work achieve and maintain OBSERVING closely with organizations to identify your results opportunities that encourage drivers Set a modesplit target 2. to try more sustainable options and BUILDING sustainable commuters to keep up the This award recognizes an organization 4. where employees have made the greatest PLEDGING Complete Corporate good work. Going forward, a key focus of Member strides in using sustainable transportation to Questionnaire and the program will be to develop commute to work. In 2016, employees at 3. 1. Scorecard eff ective peer learning opportunities Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) decreased REPORTING their number of driving trips more than any Conduct Employee for members, as well as new resources Publicly share your Corporate Travel Survey other organization. Cycling and carpooling Scorecard results that build the case for supporting increased the most, likely due to highly Develop an action plan employees with their commute. eff ective communication strategies, improved bike facilities, and new events and programs to encourage cycling during the summer months.

24 25 279

Electric Vehicles

181

114

70 Public 42 33 Charging 23 12 Ports

2013 2014 2015 2016 PLUG IN

18 3 215 $ savings. M tonnes, CO₂ Throughout 2016, our federal and provincial governments strongly supported Electric Vehicles (EVs) and charging stations, by encouraging mandates, strategies, and actions. To Fuel Savings Lowered Emissions ensure Waterloo Region continues to play a leadership role in Annual savings of more than Annual equivalent of 3,215 tonnes $1.8M in fuel costs* CO₂ emissions avoided* EV adoption, ChargeWR continued to build and support our network of local champions. This year, the network put forward *Source: http://www.brucepower.com/resources-and-publications/ over $3 million worth of funding requests for EV charging nuclear-education/sustainability-calculator/ infrastructure in Waterloo Region through the Electric Vehicle Chargers Ontario and Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Demon- strations programs. ChargeWR and this community of support will continue to serve our transition to a low-carbon transportation system, looking forward to EV and charging station funding programs yet to be launched, and working with more champions.

Follow @ChargeWR on Twitter.

* Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. Arthur Ashe 2726 SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

A Community of Champions

In September of 2014, Waterloo Region Voltec was founded with a small but dedicated group of Chevy Volt owners in the region. A year later, the Waterloo Region Electric Vehicle Association was born, inviting all EV owners and enthusiasts to join in. They are dedicated to EV education and promotion in and around the Region. They host and attend many EV events within Southern Ontario, and in 2016 sponsored the placement of a new level two charging stations in Kitchener for public use.

Please feel free to contact them at [email protected] or on their Twitter and Facebook feeds @WRVoltec @WREVAGroup.

27 ClimateActionWR is a collaboration between local organizations and community members focused on climate change mitigation. Led by Reep Green Solutions and Sustainable Waterloo Region, this program coordinates the activities of the Climate Action Plan.

COLLABORATION

ClimateActionWR establishes cross-sector dialogue, facilitates collaborative opportunities, and monitors and measures progress toward the achievement of our community’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target of 6% below 2010 levels by 2020.

ClimateActionWR PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ACTION STAKEHOLDERS: LEAD COMMITTEE FUNDER OWNER

Reep Green Solutions

Sustainable Waterloo Region

Region of Waterloo

City of Cambridge

City of Kitchener

City of Waterloo

Energy+

Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro

Waterloo North Hydro

Kitchener Utilities

Union Gas

Community Access BikeShare

Community CarShare

We are facing a global climate crisis. It is deepening. We are entering a * period of consequences. Al Gore 2928 SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

Local Synergies with Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan With the community Climate Action Plan acting as a direction for our collective efforts, and Ontario’s plan in place to support this plan, Waterloo Region is poised to further its sustainability efforts and meet our reduction target by 2020. Here are some examples of the synergies we have found:

Our community Climate Action Plan sets The Regional Sustainability Initiative a target to support the adoption of 1,000 supports its members to implement cost- electric vehicles (EVs) across the Region effective emission reduction projects, by 2020; the Province’s plan is 14,000 including the installation of anti-idling EVs province-wide by 2020. ChargeWR technologies in fleets – an initiative the supports these goals locally through Province may support under its new events, social marketing, and leadership on Green Commercial Vehicle Program. EV charging infrastructure installations. Low-carbon standards for new buildings The Province of Ontario lists electric- are outlined in the Province’s plan, but vehicle-ready homes and workplaces as here in Waterloo Region local partners a priority for land use planning. The City of are looking to go further and make Kitchener has proposed a by-law that net-positive the standard with evolv1. sets out minimum EV or EV-ready parking A Home Energy Rating and Disclosure spaces for some commercial facilities program was listed in the Province’s plan, and apartments. which would require an energy audit and TravelWise provides support and services associated rating for homes at the time of to help employers find commuting solutions sale. Having performed more than 15,000 for their employees in order to reduce single home energy evaluations since 1999, occupancy vehicles on our roads. Included Reep Green Solutions has advocated in the provincial plan are grants for large for this program as a way to inspire more employers and municipalities to reduce the people to upgrade their homes. number of single-passenger vehicle trips, which could lead to an increase in TravelWise memberships, and ultimately a reduction in emissions.

29 LOCAL MOMENTUM

Imagining a Decarbonized Current Energy Use (IN WATERLOO REGION) Waterloo Region TRANSPORTATION In November 2016, local experts from diverse disciplines PERSONAL VEHICLES and organizations came together to envision how

Waterloo Region could decarbonize by 2050. Through the SHIPPING forum, participants identified four challenges that all sectors PUBLIC TRANSPORT should focus on to achieve this goal. It was clear at this event FLEET that the short term changes our community is making now, towards our 6% reduction goal by 2020, lay the foundation for RESIDENTIAL changes into the future. HEATING/COOLING

Hosted by Heather Douglas, Associate Professor at the WATER HEATING

University of Waterloo, and supported by the Balsillie School APPLIANCES of International Affairs and Waterloo Institute for Sustainable LIGHTING Energy (WISE), the event asked participants to plan energy systems for Waterloo Region that are free of GHG emissions. INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL/INSTITUTIONAL

Four challenges emerged: STATIONARY ENERGY INCLUDING NATURAL GAS, ELECTRICITY, PROPANE • Eliminating fossil fuel-based transportation AND FUEL OIL Dramatically reducing the energy needs of • the built environment (IN WATERLOO REGION) Maximizing local renewable power generation Current Energy Sources • ELECTRICITY Replacing conventional natural gas as a NUCLEAR • source of energy for heating HYDRO As the two-day event wrapped up, participants shared NATURAL GAS their ideas for policies that would support a transition to a decarbonized future. On the local level, the ideas were WIND reflected in our community’s Climate Action Plan. FUELS

GASOLINE

What does that mean?

Our community Climate Action Plan is DIESEL about more than achieving a 6% reduction in GHGs by 2020. The 6% reduction is an admirable milestone to work towards, THERMAL ENERGY but it cannot be the end of our efforts. NATURAL GAS (HEATING)

1 ICON = 1 PJ OF ENERGY = 1 Quadrillion Joules; 278 Gigawatt Hours; 948 Billion BTUs

3130 SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

WATERLOO REGION CLIMATE TOWN HALL DRAWS CROWD

On August 18, 2016 over 300 people came to Kitchener City Hall to provide input to the Government of Canada in its development of a national climate change plan to meet our global commitments. The 01 message of the Town Hall was clear: Waterloo Region citizens want action on climate change now! A true showing of the power of democracy, Kitchener City Hall Rotunda was filled with the voices of citizens having their say and sharing their passion.

The event, organized by nearly a dozen local community organizations, drew crowds from diverse groups and across the political spectrum and included all five of Waterloo Region’s Members of Parliament.

At the event, a diversity of ideas and approaches to deal with climate change emerged, and many of these could be tackled at a local level. The synergies 02 with our own community Climate Action 01. A large crowd Plan were resounding, including: gathered at the Town Hall. Encouraging walkable cities and • transit investment From left to right: Supporting high density and mixed- MP Marwan Tabbara, • use planning MP Bardish Chagger House Leader and Reducing the prevalence of Minister for Small • parking lots Business and Tourism, MP Raj Saini, Retrofitting existing homes to MP Bryan May and • near net-zero MP Harold Albrecht. 02. Town Hall attendees Increasing local food production, share their ideas • and much more to tackle climate change.

31 LOCAL ACTION Big Ideas in Waterloo Region

Cross-Sector: Community Energy Investment Strategy The Region of Waterloo—alongside the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo, and the utilities Energy+, Kitchener Utilities, Kitchener- Wilmot Hydro, Waterloo North Hydro and Union Gas—is working to develop a Community Energy Investment Strategy. This strategy considers opportunities to invest in energy effi ciency and local energy generation in order to support strong local economic development and lower local energy costs, while meeting our community GHG reduction target.

Workplaces: Transportation: Homes: Bring Smart Thermostats Miovision is Simple Technologies Address to Small Business Rethinking Traffi c Residential Water Use Energy+, Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro, Miovision leverages big data to improve In 2016, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo North Hydro, and Union Gas traffi c fl ow on our roadways. This Waterloo piloted a program to give have partnered with ecobee to deliver supports our eff orts to curb congestion, local homeowners water audits for free. an innovative smart thermostat pilot and prioritize active and public transit Delivered by Reep Green Solutions, program for small businesses. The over single occupancy vehicles. residents were given the option to objective of this pilot is to evaluate the have simple water saving technologies potential energy savings available from provided or installed at the same time. the use of smart thermostats. The The program aims to reduce household pilot provides customers with smart water consumption across the thermostats, as well as information community from an average of 200 litres and tools through a web and mobile to 165 litres per person, per day as a application to manage and control their part of the Water Effi ciency Master Plan, heating and cooling systems. which is estimated to result in 7,700 tonnes of avoided CO₂e between 2015 and 2025.

32 SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

01. Waterloo Region trail markers.

02. A first look at the new ION train. LOCAL POLICY Local Policy Tackles Climate Change

Moving Forward Waterloo Region will be a prosperous, sustainable, and healthy community, where people of all ages and abilities, and the goods supporting our economy, have viable choices about how they move around. Moving Forward (the Region’s Transportation Master Plan) will:

1 Optimize the 3 Promote transportation transportation system choice

2 Foster a strong 4 Support sustainable economy development

By-Laws: Shaping our Waterloo Hits 1.3 Million Transportation Future The City of Waterloo measured What does a low-carbon over 1.3 million active transit trips transportation future look like? along their high priority active Does it include EV’s, public transit, transportation network. Efforts or active transportation trails? City to prioritize active transportation zoning by-laws are likely not the first have included winter maintenance thing you think of. However, zoning on multi-use trails, wayfinding can play an enormous role in shaping signs, targeted trail rehabilitation, transportation choices. The City of crossing improvements and Kitchener has taken commendable significant investment in the 2.4 steps to support a low-carbon future kilometre Spur Line multi-use trail. by proposing new maximum parking requirements and lower minimum parking requirements, including exemptions from providing parking in some cases in the downtown core, through their Comprehensive Review of Zoning By-laws.

32 33 WATERLOO REGION

ALL OUR THANKS GO TO YOU

Volunteers Offi ce Team

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FINANCE PUBLIC RELATIONS STRATEGY & GOVERNANCE STAFF Michael Brennan Andreina Calderon Cindy Aponte Marty Finestone David Alton

Courtney Butler Manpreet Dhaliwal Valerie Chong Janette Kingsbury Arcy Canumay

Cheryl de la Cruz John Paul Nyereka Lexi Halley Leandra Mariani Lisa Chapman

Kara Klassen Julie Vuong Kelly McMath Farzana Rahman Colleen Cooper

Andy Mao Alexandra Wong Tova Davidson

Mariah Smith FUND DEVELOPMENT TRAVELWISE Matthew Day Elizabeth Wong Danielle Avila PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Taginder Clair Elizabeth Hilgers

Eunize Lao Antonio Albornoz Clayton Coppaway Danielle Laperriere

CLIMATEACTIONWR Cindy Luu Arcy Canumay Mat Thijssen Samantha Tavenor Martin Espina Mary Granskou Therese Tisseverasinghe Allan Taylor

Binesh Lodhi HUMAN RESOURCES Samiya Hirji Basak Topcu Jennifer van Overbeeke

Nila Maran Samantha Clement Christine Jewell Katie Wall

Amanda Parker Karen Rittinger Janet Kimantas WEB & IT Dan Shaver Yvonne Stoll Andreas Mertes Matthew Brodrecht INTERNS

Juan Sotés Karina Vigil Matt Quinn Martin Espina

MARKETING Christine Robson Selma Fernandez Mac Gregor EVENTS Gladys Abboud REGIONAL SUSTAINABILITY Paul Sobering Tait Goos INITIATIVE Manpreet Dhaliwal Christine Bui Gabriel Tan-Chen Matthew Riepert Nicholas Cloet Alvin Fan Andrew Davidson Mariah Smith Anna Fluder Selma Fernandez Mac Gregor Lyubava Fartushenko Luke Stein Tasha-Leigh Gauthier Tarana Persaud Lori Gallaugher Patricia Huynh Luke Stein Sarah Harwood Kelsey Koebel Steve Yessie Maryam Kafi Jen Owens Dave Klassen Jenna Paton Arun Raj Tarana Persaud Chris Steingart Andrea Quinn Brent Wettlaufer Anam Rahman

INNOVATION RESEARCH

Amanda Bichel Sheldon Pereira Caitlin Scott

34 SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

Board of In-kind Event ClimateActionWR ClimateActionWR Directors Support Sponsors Committee Members Management Committee

Barry Colbert (Chair) AV Ontario Inc. VENUE PROVIDERS Joan Ang Sarah Brown Wilfrid Laurier University Borealis Grille & Bar Accelerator Centre Claire Bennett Anna Marie Cipriani P&G Centre for Business & Sustainability Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP City of Kitchener Heather Bigelow Tova Davidson Kevin Fergin Rick Snyder Eco-Coffee Corporation Dave Blake Mary Jane Patterson Stantec RLB LLP Economical Insurance Klas Bockasten David Roewade Susan Jantzi Sorbara, Schumacher, Sun Life Financial Energy+ Tenille Bonoguore Brandon Sloan McCann LLP Michael Letourneau (Secretary) WalterFedy Carole Boucher Paul Willms Sorbara, Schumacher, Tech Wreckers Inc Waterloo North Hydro Martina Braunstein McCann LLP ClimateActionWR Ian Miles (Treasurer) Event Speakers Wilfrid Laurier University Tony Brijpaul Support Energy+ Arcy Canumay Ian Rowlands Helmi Ansari EVENING OF RECOGNITION SPONSOR Anna Marie Cipriani City of Cambridge University of Waterloo Grosche Glenn Scheels Liz Benneian EY Canada Scott Cooper City of Kitchener Ontariogreen GSP Group Nick Dautovich City of Waterloo Diane Stanley-Horn Claire Bennett SIGNATURE SPONSOR Wilfrid Laurier University Tabot Eneme Employment Ontario, through Athena Software TD Bank Group The Working Centre Jan Varner (Secretary) Keith Brooks John Finch United Way Environmental Defence PRESENTING SPONSORS Jess Fisher Region of Waterloo Kitchener Waterloo & Area Howard Chang saveONenergy for Business Patrick Kelly Top Drawer Creative Inc. Program Development Ambassadors Sylvia Coleman Sun Life Financial John Kokko Support University of British Columbia Wilfrid Laurier University Blake Larson Victoria Alleyene Court Desautels P&G Centre for Business & Stephanie MacPhee City of Waterloo CEO CatalystsX Borealis Grille & Bar Sustainability Pat Carr Matthew Hoffmann Leslie Maxwell Federation of Canadian SUPPORTING SPONSORS Municipalities’ Green EPS/AB Energy Canada University of Toronto Stephanie McCallum Municipal Fund Katie Cheesmond Ben Janzen Farm Mutual Reinsurance Plan RLB Chartered Professional Jen McLaughlin Government of Canada, through Kindred Credit Union Teledyne DALSA Accountants the Working Centre Patrick Kelly Jolene McLaughlin Catharine Gerhard The Cooperators, Kitchener and Waterloo Township of Wilmot Julia White and Associates Zainab A. Moghal Canada’s Technology Triangle Community Foundation Stephanie McCallum Janice Moore Region of Waterloo Fred Lehmann Kuntz Electroplating Inc. CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS Ontario Construction Secretariat Eric Melton Scott Morton-Ninomiya Sorbara, Schumacher, Crawford & Company McCann LLP Pete Lewis Partners in Project Green Shane Mulligan Tech Wreckers Inc Kitchener Utilities Sustainable Societies Doug McKenzie-Mohr Jeff Quint Jeff Quint McKenzie-Mohr Associates Consulting Group Waterloo North Hydro MEDIA SPONSORS Paulina Rodriguez Guy Newshan United Way Kitchener Waterloo Laura Rourke National Research Council Waterloo Region Record Ian Rowlands & Area Excellence in Manufacturing David Paterson Waterloo North Hydro Consortium Matthew Schiedel General Motors Canada Limited Graphic Design Wilfrid Laurier University Carol Stewart Lynda Stewart Sarah Petrevan Support David Johnston Research + Clean Energy Canada Matthew Sweet Technology Park, University Of School Travel Waterloo John Robinson QT Web Designs Inc. Allan Taylor Munk School of Global Affairs, Planning Support Studio Locale Mat Thijssen Intern Sponsors University of Toronto Randy Sa’d Umar Waqas Automotive Recyclers of Canada University of Waterloo REFOCUS Elena Weber-Kraljevska Faculty of the Environment Cathy Snyder Mike Wigzell Wilfrid Laurier University United Way Kitchener Regional Sustainability P&G Centre for Business & Waterloo & Area Initiative Support Sustainability Bruce Taylor Enviro-Stewards Mat Thijssen University of Waterloo An agency of the Government of Ontario Un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario

34 35 EVENTS

Events are one of the ways that SWR works to create a community that is informed, engaged and inspired. Events are also the way that member organizations connect, share learnings, and find opportunities to support each other and the development of a Informed Engaged Inspired An organization’s environmental In 2016, event topics started Real change, and a commitment sustainable community. impact cannot be isolated from exploring environmental impact to see it through, can be fueled the rest of its functions. In 2016, beyond GHGs. March brought by inspiration, and SWR wants to we started a series of events attendees together to learn about inspire our community. In 2016, 2016 saw 20 events serving that emphasized the importance the technical aspects of waste and we started off the year with a of bringing team members in water sustainability from experts bang, welcoming David Paterson members and partners a variety of functions into the at Partners in Project Green, and from GM Canada to talk about across all SWR programs, and sustainability network. The first the Ontario Zero Waste Coalition. how sustainability is transforming of these events took place in their business. We also brought included keynote speakers, November, when we welcomed September was a highlight of our together a panel of experts to share Howard Chang from Top Drawer event season, as we celebrated the insights on the Paris Agreement, the panels, workshops, peer Creative to share the importance launch of the Regional Sustainability Ontario Climate Change Strategy learning sessions, a program of storytelling, and the best ways Initiative with 140 members from and Action Plan, Cap and Trade, to craft compelling narratives that our community. The excitement in and how these influence local launch, and our Evening of bring value to the audience. the room was palpable, creating organizations. Finally, in October, Recognition. We were thrilled momentum, excitement and eventual John Robinson, former Associate action by many network members. Provost, Sustainability at UBC to welcome familiar and energized attendees with stories of Canada’s current most sustainable new faces to events, totalling building, the Centre for Interactive nearly 1,000 attendees. Research on Sustainability.

36 SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION 2016 Report

SWR AWARDS

These awards are given to those SWR Partner of the Year who have gone above and beyond Small Organization A small to medium size organization that in 2016 in their eff orts to support has gone above and beyond in their support a more sustainable community. of and participation with SWR in that year. This year’s SWR Partner of the Year Small The recipients have provided out- Organization award goes to: standing support to Sustainable Waterloo Region, our programs,

projects, and people.

SWR Champion of the Year SWR Partner of the Year Events spur action An individual who has been highly inspiring, Large Organization involved and supportive of sustainability with A large organization that has gone above Sometimes at SWR events, big ideas SWR and in their organization. and big collaborations are born. In and beyond in their support of and participation with SWR in that year. This year’s champion: 2016, the biggest of these is a healthy This year’s SWR Partner of the Year Large Jennifer McLaughlin, BlackBerry building study currently underway. Organization award goes to: At our Recommissioning event in October 2015, the idea for a healthy building study came to be when attendees started discussing links between employee productivity, SWR Sustainability Promoter absenteeism, and indoor air quality. This of the Year study now includes a Communitech An organization that has shown leadership startup, University of Waterloo in the development or implementation of students, and local environmental sustainability policies and practices. professionals doing air quality studies This year’s Sustainability Promoter of the Year award goes to: in eight Regional Sustainability Initiative member buildings and one community building. The power of a network to fi nd real solutions. We are We facing a global climate crisis. *

The universe doesn’t give you what you ask for with *

COLLABORATION ACTION

Arthur Ashe Get involved with the environment because Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change Oscar Wilde Oscar * once you go past the tipping point with the * Chris Noth

environment, you can’t get it back. The one great thing about a continuing collaboration is that they know you. And if you’re *

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY

PARTNERSHIP

FIRST PROGRAMS

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. *

Al Gore PLUG-IN Margaret Mead Margaret

WATERLOO REGION 519 – 603 – 2223 sustainablewr.ca @sustainablewat Success is a science; if you have the conditions, you get the results. *

Mark Ruffalo Mark

Environmental Impact Statement

750 copies of the 2016 Report were printed using 364 kg of 100% post-consumer recycled paper. It was also distributed digitally to reduce printed copies. FOUNDATION

By using more sustainable paper we saved: 1,058 kilograms of GHG emissions | 26,259 litres of water | 322 kilograms of solid waste | 1,945 kilowatt hours

Environmental impact estimates were made using the Environmental Paper Network Paper Calculator Version 3.2 Sir Richard Branson Richard Sir ange, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. anything. change cannot minds their change cannot who those and ange, the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. It is deepening. are We entering a period of consequences. really lucky, they really believe in you. Do it for the children, do it for yourself; Everyone is needed, everyone can help. to doto it.